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Bobby Kapp: Synergy

By Jack Bowers
September 7, 2023
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The subtitle of Synergy is "

Bobby Kapp

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Kapp plays the music of

Richard Sussman

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Richard Sussman," which is true to some extent. To be more precise, drummer Kapp is at the heart of a septet, conducted by

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Reeves, that features composer Sussman at the piano. So, while "Bobby Kapp plays" is technically correct, it does not represent the whole picture.

What is more, this is a group with a rather unusual front line of violin, clarinet, tenor sax and French horn. If in any way that hinders the expression of Sussman's forward-leaning compositions and charts (he wrote and arranged every number), it is not apparent, as everyone assumes a cooperative persona and works earnestly to help ensure the enterprise's success.

Kapp, now in his ninth decade and a key component in that success, more than holds his own among his younger colleagues, supporting well and taking a number of crisp solos. As for Sussman's music, it bears traces of

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans,

Lennie Tristano

piano
1919 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Lennie Tristano,

Don Ellis

trumpet
1934 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Ellis,

Jimmy Giuffre

clarinet
1921 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Giuffre,

Florian Ross

composer / conductor
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Florian Ross and other modernists, but always with a fresh voice and unique posture whose singularity sets it apart.

Having that uncommon front line is clearly an asset as well. Speaking of which, French hornist

John Clark

french horn
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">John Clark is an impressive soloist, as are tenor saxophonist

Abraham Burton

saxophone, alto
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Abraham Burton, clarinetist

Aaron Irwin

saxophone, alto
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Irwin, violinist

Zach Brock

violin
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Zach Brock, bassist

Harvie S

bass, acoustic
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Harvie S and Sussman himself. Even so, it is the evocative colors they display on Sussman's eclectic charts that lend the album its personality and charm.

Sussman writes allusive tone poems with titles such as "Infinite Mobility," "Inner Space," "Trance Dance" and "Radioactive," reliable indicators of his concept and purpose. It is one that Kapp heartily endorses, as do his partners in the septet. Their expertise and enthusiasm help raise Synergy above the norm, while lending credence to Knapp's decision to "play the music of Richard Sussman."

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Track Listing

Tweed Boulevard; Infinite Mobility; Inner Space; From the Heart; Synergy; Trance Dance; Whirling Dervish; Radioactive.

Personnel

Bobby Kapp

drums

Zach Brock

violin

Aaron Irwin

saxophone, alto

Abraham Burton

saxophone, alto

John Clark

french horn

Richard Sussman

piano

Harvie S

bass, acoustic

Album information

Title: Synergy | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

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